Lancaster in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John Durang

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

1. John Durang Marker

Inscription. To the Memory of
John Durang

First native-born American Actor
Born within sight of this building
January 6, 1768

Erected 1955 by The Theatrical Brotherhood Association, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 1768.

Location. 40° 2.284′ N, 76° 18.508′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is on North Water Street north of West King Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the back wall of the historic Fulton Theater, facing Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 North Prince Street (backside of the building), Lancaster PA 17603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Conestoga Indian Massacre (a few steps from this marker); Fulton Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); African-American Women Escape County Jail, 1835 (within shouting distance of this marker); Reynolds House

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John F. Reynolds (about 400 feet away); Union Fire Company No 1 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. John Durang

Also see . . . John Durang - American dancer. John Durang, (born Jan. 6, 1768, York, Pa.—died 1822, Philadelphia), the first U.S.-born professional dancer of note, who was best known for his hornpipe dance. In 1784, when Durang was 17 years old, he made his debut as a performer in Lewis Hallam’s “lecture” and patriotic extravaganza. Plays and dances were banned by law at that time, and the euphemism lecture was used for such events. Thus began Durang’s dance career, and although he did study ballet with visiting European dancers, he was not a trained classical dancer. (Submitted on August 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

John Durang Marker (<i>back wall of Fulton Theater; marker at eye-level</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

2. John Durang Marker (back wall of Fulton Theater; marker at eye-level)

John Durang Marker (<i>back wall of Fulton Theater; marker near left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

3. John Durang Marker (back wall of Fulton Theater; marker near left)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2026, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.